Patents by Inventor Chester L. Sandberg

Chester L. Sandberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9290273
    Abstract: Invention is an adaptive freeze, snow or ice protection system and method of operation that comprises an integrated expert system control module, a sensing means, a heating means, a control system means, an interconnection means and an energy supply system means where the protection system is supplied with an external energy source. The integrated expert system control module has a learning algorithm that performs adaptive analysis using input from conventional and unique sensors as the sensing means, other available inputs and other available data to monitor all of the systems of the protection system and provides commands to control all the systems of the protection system that manage the possible effects of predetermined environmental conditions on facilities or equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: James C. Thompson, Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 8742604
    Abstract: Systems and methods for combined flow control and electricity generation are described. Various embodiments may include an energy recovery device adapted to produce an electric current. At least a portion of the electric current may be used to power a pump. A control system may be adapted to adjust operating parameters of the system to stabilize or maximize the efficiency of the energy recovery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dyer, Mark Richter, Rafael Andres Bañados Contreras, Chester L. Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20130328310
    Abstract: Systems and methods for combined flow control and electricity generation are described. Various embodiments may comprise an energy recovery device adapted to produce an electric current. At least a portion of the electric current may be used to power a pump. A control system may be adapted to adjust operating parameters of the system to stabilize or maximize the efficiency of the energy recovery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy Dyer, Mark Richter, Rafael Andres Bañados Contreras, Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 8410892
    Abstract: A three-terminal device (1, 21, 31) which can operate as an electrical switch, controlled by a third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) that controls switching the device (1, 21, 31) from a closed circuit (conducting) state to an open circuit (insulating) state. Polymer and/or ceramic materials are loaded with different conductive materials, forming a device (1, 21, 31) having various electrical conductivities depending on local temperature. In preferred embodiments, the device (1, 21, 31) exhibits a non-linear increase or decrease in resistance versus temperature. Various embodiments of the three-terminal devices (1, 21, 31) are disclosed. The third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) may be a non-electrically conductive biasing element such as a thermal transfer rod or tube containing a variable temperature fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Chester L. Sandberg
  • Publication number: 20120044041
    Abstract: A three-terminal device (1, 21, 31) which can operate as an electrical switch, controlled by a third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) that controls switching the device (1, 21, 31) from a closed circuit (conducting) state to an open circuit (insulating) state. Polymer and/or ceramic materials are loaded with different conductive materials, forming a device (1, 21, 31) having various electrical conductivities depending on local temperature. In preferred embodiments, the device (1, 21, 31) exhibits a non-linear increase or decrease in resistance versus temperature. Various embodiments of the three-terminal devices (1, 21, 31) are disclosed. The third terminal (3, 24, 36/36A) may be a non-electrically conductive biasing element such as a thermal transfer rod or tube containing a variable temperature fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 7360588
    Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Peter Veenstra, Steven Paul Giles, Chester L. Sandberg, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Mark Gregory Picha, Etuan Zhang, Gary Beer, Frederick Gordon Carl, Jr., Taixu Bai, Dong Sub Kim, Michael David Fairbanks, Guillermo Pastor Sanz
  • Patent number: 7121342
    Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Peter Veenstra, Steven Paul Giles, Chester L. Sandberg, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Mark Gregory Picha, Etuan Zhang, Gary Beer, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr., Taixu Bai, Dong Sub Kim, Michael David Fairbanks, Guillermo Pastor Sanz
  • Patent number: 6288372
    Abstract: An electrical cable device such as a heating cable includes a braidless ground return layer surrounding an inner jacket. The ground return layer is formed by a conductive polymer and a ground return wire connected to the conductive polymer. The polymer may be made suitably conductive for ground fault detection by addition of a particulate conductive filler such as carbon black, carbon fibers, or a blend thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chester L. Sandberg, Albert J. Highe, Jose Gamarra, Lawrence J. White, Frank Orecchia, Ted M. Aune
  • Patent number: 4785163
    Abstract: Method for monitoring the electrical integrity of a heater and a novel heater for use in such a method. The heater includes an elongate heating member; an insulating jacket which encloses the heating member; a first electrically conductive member which surrounds the insulating jacket; a separating and insulating member which surrounds the first conductive member; and a second electrically conductive member which surrounds the first conductive member and is separated and insulated therefrom by the separating member. The method includes the step of testing the electrical relationship between the first and second electrically conductive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 4733057
    Abstract: A wall, floor or ceiling heater comprises a plurality of self regulating, preferably PTC conductive polymer, heater elements each of which is connected to two or more connection elements. The elements are held by a support. In a preferred embodiment the heater elements are positioned parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the connection elements. The support is preferably made from a rigid material which is hinged to allow the heater to be folded or rolled for easy transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Erwin K. E. Stanzel, Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 4698583
    Abstract: Method for monitoring the electrical integrity of a heater and a novel heater for use in such a method. The heater includes an elongate heating member; an insulating jacket which encloses the heating member; a first electrically conductive member which surrounds the insulating jacket; a separating and insulating member which surrounds the first conductive member; and a second electrically conductive member which surrounds the first conductive member and is separated and insulated therefrom by the separating member. The method includes the step of testing the electrical relationship between the first and second electrically conductive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Chester L. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 4417782
    Abstract: Fiber optic waveguides exhibiting a blackout phenomenon can be used for temperature sensing. A temperature sensing waveguide can be used in such applications as maintaining a material within a selected temperature range, freeze protection viscosity control of liquids in pipelines, leak detection of cryogenic fluids, fire detection, application of heat-recoverable materials, battery charging, and fluid level detection. Novel waveguides exhibiting blackout at selected temperatures for use in these applications are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Clarke, Chester L. Sandberg